Brother Larry Reich, right, Chief Verger at Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church, and The Reverend Ann G. Weeks lead a procession into the Celebration of the Life service for Brother Ron Fender, BSG, on Saturday at 2:00 p.m.“Rank on rank the host of heaven spreads its vanguard on the way, as the light of light descendeth from the realms of endless day, that the powers of hell may vanish as the darkness clears away.”
Hundreds sang out Saturday in joy and sorrow. They sang for love and loss.
They sang for Brother Ron.
Ron Fender, a Gregorian monk who spent years working as an outreach coordinator at the Community Kitchen, died on Jan. 29 at age 61, leaving behind thousands who were touched by his ministry. Many of them gathered at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church to celebrate the example he set and mourn his passing.
Brother Ron was known for rolling up his sleeves and sitting down with a bucket of warm water to wash the feet of the homeless.